3/23/2013 |
Major League clubs prepping for spring cleaningAlthough late March might not bring the same excitement as July's non-waiver Trade Deadline or December's Winter Meetings, it's still a time for a flurry of movement throughout Major League Baseball.

3/23/2013 |
Crain ready to return to Cactus League actionNews from White Sox reliever Jesse Crain's appearance in a Saturday afternoon Minor League game was much more positive than it was after his previous outing on Wednesday.

3/23/2013 |
Rockies show interest in veteran pitcher GarlandThe Rockies, hoping to improve their starting pitching, have talked to representatives of right-hander Jon Garland, who requested and received his release from the Mariners on Saturday.

3/23/2013 |
Familiar problems plague Lincecum vs. A'sTim Lincecum's performance Saturday against the Oakland A's was uncomfortably reminiscent of 2012. It included too much first-inning drama and too many walks.

3/23/2013 |
Delgado struggles in possible final rotation auditionRandall Delgado is battling only Patrick Corbin for the final spot in the D-backs rotation now that Tyler Skaggs was moved to Minor League camp, but he didn't do much to help his chances on Saturday. Delgado surrendered three home runs and issued four walks to the Royals.

3/23/2013 |
Cranky elbow halts Sandoval's throwing sessionThe Giants are close to determining whether third baseman Pablo Sandoval's ailing right elbow can heal quickly enough to enable him to participate in the April 1 season opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

3/23/2013 |
Seeking spot on staff, Richards makes big statementGarrett Richards was asked if he feels he's done enough to make the Angels' staff out of Spring Training, and before the sentence could be finished, the 24-year-old right-hander already had his answer. "I do," Richards said. "I do. I feel like I've done everything I can possibly do."

3/23/2013 |
Darvish looks regular-season ready against RedsYu Darvish, pitching in a Cactus League game for the first time since March 11, allowed two runs on three hits against the most of the Reds' regular lineup in the Rangers' 6-2 victory at Goodyear Ballpark Saturday.

3/23/2013 |
Kazmir pleased with outing despite runs allowedScott Kazmir is hoping the Indians use more than the pitching line found in the box score to evaluate his latest performance. The lefty knows Cleveland is nearing a decision on its fifth starter and that his outing against the Mariners might have been his final say on the mound.

3/23/2013 |
Back with LA, Hanley in cast for three weeksHanley Ramirez, who had surgery to repair a torn right thumb ligament on Friday, rejoined the Dodgers on Saturday. The shortstop will be able to partially participate in drills, but he won't return to full baseball activities for three weeks.

3/23/2013 |
X-rays on Latos' left foot negativeRight-hander Mat Latos left Saturday's game against the Rangers with a left foot injury after being struck by a ball hit toward the mound. He was later taken for X-rays that came back negative, according to a team spokesman.

3/23/2013 |
Dodger Stadium upgrades ready for Opening DayDodgers president Stan Kasten said on Saturday that the club will sell a record 31,000 season tickets for 2013 and the Dodger Stadium renovation, which will cost "north of" $100 million, will be complete by Opening Day.

3/23/2013 |
Astros nearing deal with shortstop CedenoThe Astros are closing in on a deal with free-agent infielder Ronny Cedeno, a baseball source has told MLB.com. Cedeno was released by the Cardinals earlier this week.

3/23/2013 |
Rotation hopeful Locke able to limit hometown teamFacing Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia was a rush for Pirates left-hander Jeff Locke, who grew up with a share of Red Sox season tickets in nearby New Hampshire. Winning a job with the Bucs this spring, likely, would be the bigger rush.

3/23/2013 |
A's get Nakajima some work at second baseIn an effort to diversify their new shortstop's skill set, the A's sent Hiro Nakajima over to a Minor League game Saturday to rack up some innings as a second baseman.

3/23/2013 |
Dirks remains out due to swollen kneeAndy Dirks wasn't ready to return to left field on Saturday. The swelling in his right knee, which he banged into the fence at Joker Marchant Stadium on Tuesday, was still too much to get much flexibility out of it.

3/23/2013 |
Lawrie working his way back from strained rib cageBlue Jays manager John Gibbons was hopeful Saturday that first baseman Edwin Encarnacion -- day to day with a jammed index finger -- will be back in the lineup Monday, when Toronto will begin using as much of its regular lineup as possible on an everyday basis. He was not quite as optimistic about third baseman Brett Lawrie's return from a strained muscle in his rib cage.

3/23/2013 |
Rondon's command off against YankeesBruce Rondon had shown steady progress over the last couple weeks since working with pitching coach Jeff Jones to improve his mechanics. Command-wise, though, Rondon's inning of work Saturday looked more like his early spring struggles.

3/23/2013 |
Wells makes rare spring start in right fieldVernon Wells got a rare start in right field for the Angels on Saturday, only his second of the spring at a position where he's spent less than two percent of his career innings. In the reserve role he figures to be in this season, playing both outfield corners is a must for the 34-year-old.